From Deseret News archives:
Is process tainted by politics?
Utah County's picks of state school board applicants draw fire
Mike Anderson and Mossi White didn't make the cut.
And that has some observers questioning whether the nominating process is flawed.
The new State Board of Education nominating and recruiting committee chose not to forward Anderson and White's names to the governor, who decides who goes on the ballot.
Some hint that school choice and reform politics have come into play.
Others note some education representatives on the committee weren't there to cast votes.
And even a candidate who got the committee's blessing says the governor won't put him on the ballot because he disagrees with her politics.
Gov. Olene Walker will announce official school board candidates Friday.
"I don't think this is what the Legislature intended at all," said Gainell Rogers, a regional PTA director who oversees branches in Alpine School District. "I think they intended to get the very best possible nominees to the governor, and that is not what happened."
But not in state school board elections.
Office seekers must declare candidacy then interview with a committee, which recommends three or more names to the governor. The governor picks two to go on the ballot in each district. If just one or two apply as is the case in District 1 in northern Utah, District 4 in in Ogden and District 8 in south-central Salt Lake County, both go on the ballot.
Changed process
The nominating process was set up in a 1991 law, aimed partly at ensuring quality candidates for a relatively obscure yet influential body, the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel reports.
Until this year, all 15 board districts had a local nominating committee.
But in 2003, the panels were replaced by a single committee under an education reform law. Earlier this year, SB185 clarified the 12-member committee's membership be split evenly between business and education interests.
"There's no question that in the past I think (the board) has been weighted toward the education community," said Sen. Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch, who sponsored both bills. "I think it was simply an attempt to put some balance in there."
Comments
- NBA roundup: Celts win in OT 10:25 p.m.
- Syracuse gets field prep work for free 10:14 p.m.
- McPherson leads at LPGA 10:07 p.m.
- Hall, Johnson matchup key 10:05 p.m.
- 92 dead in China mining disaster 10:03 p.m.
- Iran begins war games 10:03 p.m.
- Iran begins war games 10:02 p.m.
- Return to status quo in Honduras 9:58 p.m.
- UK rainfall wreaks havoc 9:57 p.m.
- World datelines 9:57 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
201 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
184 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
128 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
83
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
The stadium in Sandy was paid for by tax dollars, juggled around by the state...
The Deseret News editorial board gets one right. Well done. Families have...
I love Real Salt Lake!!!
I would hate to see congress waste an crisis. Good thing these dems are...
is the man. Great job to him and the club. I remember all of the...
I know very little of soccer; but, I really enjoyed and got into the game....
ESPN doesn't have anything on their website? That's strange because ESPN...
We had a great night as a family cheering on RSL. What an exciting win for...
When is the Parade? OMG!! WE FINALLY GET A PARADE IN UTAH!


You can be the first to comment on this story.